Latest News

Staying up to date on concrete news and industry-related topics is crucial for Structural Repairs, in today’s fast-paced business environment.
Image
avril 2, 2023

How safe is your concrete balcony?

Your concrete balcony is prone to delamination so the Structural Repair team what to ask… How safe is your concrete balcony?

What is delamination?

Concrete delamination is where the concrete spalls or blows and becomes structurally unsafe.

The structure loses its integrity. 

Concrete delamination is caused by moisture, air and water, penetrating the concrete over a period of time.

This then comes in touch with the reinforcements bars within the concrete, which then rust and corrode.

When the reinforcement bars rust, they expand by up to seven times.

Therefore, when they expand, the concrete blows or delaminates.

When this happens the strength of the structure is reduced. 

What concrete age is most affected?

Concrete from the 1960s, 1970s and & 1980s is particularly prone to this, and we undertake many structural repairs to balconies.

This apartment block in Southampton is on the coast, and the winds and sea air increase the speed of concrete delamination. 

The correct remedial solution was to hack off the loose spalled concrete and expose the reinforcement bars. 

Once they were deemed to be structurally adequate, they were cleaned and then primed with a rust inhibitor, before the concrete balconies were rebuilt with an epoxy concrete. 

After this had been done, the whole concrete balconies were coated with an anti-carbonation coating.

This prevents air and moisture entering the concrete structure.

Therefore reduces the risk of further concrete spalling. 

A waterproof coating is then applied to the top surface of the concrete balcony as a precautionary measure.

Also this is to stop water ingress.

Repairs to concrete balconies and concrete stairs are particularly common, and we undertake many of them. 

We can scan concrete balconies and stairs to see if the reinforcement bar is corroded within the concrete structure. 

The earlier concrete corrosion is detected, the more cost-effective the repair can be. 

The longer it is left, sometimes it gets beyond the point where repairs can be undertaken,and the balconies or stairs need to be completely demolished and rebuilt, which is a more expensive option, as well as having a larger environmental impact.

concrete and steel b ars x optimized

What should I do if I have these issues?

Contact us for a quote and for further details to discuss your concrete structure, your balconies and stairs, as this is our specialty. 

It is imperative that concrete balconies and stairs are inspected on a regular basis because often signs of concrete corrosion cannot be identified by a visual inspection. 

This is the advantage of concrete scanning, as we can see what is within the concrete structure.

We undertake concrete inspections for numerous maintenance companies. 

  • annual basis
  • six-monthly
  • or on a contract basis.

 Contact the Structural Repairs team to see how we do this.

We would welcome the opportunity to speak to you in regards to your concrete balconies and structures.

The team will be delighted to come along and do a demonstration as to how we can undertake annual maintenance inspections for you.

Share this post
1 avril 2025
Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC): The Smarter, Stronger, and Sustainable Choice
RAAC Windsor When it comes to modern construction, efficiency, durability, and sustainability are key. That’s where Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in Windsor shines. This...
31 mars 2025
Urgent Building Repairs Needed After 7.7-Magnitude Earthquake in Myanmar & Thailand
In the aftermath of the recent 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and affected regions in Thailand, including Bangkok, the structural integrity of numerous buildings has...
21 mars 2025
Heat Mapping for Energy Efficiency: The Key to Reducing Costs and Improving Comfort
As a hotel owner or operator, maintaining guest comfort while keeping operational costs in check is an ongoing challenge. One of the hidden culprits behind...
19 mars 2025
Structural Repairs’ Re:Grid Solution Wins 2025 UK Concrete Show New Product Award
We’re delighted to announce that Structural Repairs’ Fortress Re:Grid has been voted winner of the 2025 UK Concrete Show New Product Award! As the UK...
11 mars 2025
Reinforcing Network Rail’s Critical Infrastructure with Re-Grid Technology
In the world of infrastructure, safety and longevity are paramount—especially when it comes to critical assets like rail networks. At Structural Repairs, we recently completed...
8 novembre 2024
La vie cachée des bâtiments : Comprendre les études structurelles et la maintenance proactive
Sous chaque façade se cache une histoire inédite d’évolution structurelle. Qu’il s’agisse des réservoirs d’eau qui soutiennent nos communautés, des parkings à étages qui supportent...
We offer FREE consultations for all projects, so get started and contact us today!
Increasing the longevity of buildings and structures
Structural Repairs are a leading global specialist
Find out more